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DOUBLE HEADER: $100M FOR STRONGER COUNTRY COMMUNITIES AND $100M FOR REGIONAL SPORT

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward today announced an additional $200 million will be available for regional towns and cities across NSW, as part of Round Two of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

The new funding comes on top of the $100 million announced in Round One, which has already been allocated to projects across regional areas that will improve local amenities and community facilities.

Ms Goward said that of the fresh $200 million available in the second round of funding, half of it, $100 million, will be allocated specifically towards for sports projects in the bush.

“There was such an overwhelming response to Round One of this Fund, the NSW Government has decided to increase the funding for Round Two, and include additional dedicated funding for sports projects in the regions,” Ms Goward said.

“Sport has a major role in making our communities exciting and vibrant places to live.

“With 50 per cent of round two funding dedicated to local sport, we’ll see a mix of projects including better fields for our children to learn and play on, amenity upgrades, new parks, new playgrounds and much more.”

“We have already seen the sorts of valuable projects this fund can deliver for our communities, and I encourage locals and community groups to speak with your local council and myself, to put forward ideas for projects that you’d like to see happen as part of Round Two,” Ms Goward said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW said in the 2017/18 financial year alone, the NSW Government’s total spend on infrastructure projects currently in planning or construction in regional area has topped $15 billion.

Mr Barilaro said he is thrilled to see the impact this huge investment has had on regional communities, as projects start jumping off paper, and popping up in the real world.

“Surpassing the $15 billion mark, plus the extra $200 million announced today for local amenities and sports infrastructure, is an incredible financial milestone for our regional communities,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We have been working hard to ensure regional cities and towns reap the benefit of the NSW Government’s economic success – we are already seeing results in real life with new hospitals, new schools, better roads and now in sport infrastructure.

Stronger Country Communities applications for Round Two open on 12 March and will close 4 May 2018.